Union minister of Communications and Development of Northeast Region has inaugurated the Satcom Summit on “Space Networks for Universal Connectivity” at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025. Addressing the gathering, the minister said, “The Satcom Summit marks the threshold of a revolution — a revolution born in the sky, carried by satellites, but destined to transform lives on the ground.” He highlighted that under the visionary leadership of the prime minister, India has become a pace-setter in global digital transformation, connecting 99.9 per cent of India’s population through 0.48 million 5G towers in just 20 months, the fastest rollout in the world.
The minister underlined that satellite communication (satcom) will now extend the promise of digital inclusion to the remotest corners of the nation. “Satcom is no longer a luxury; it is a right — a form of justice in the digital era,” he said, adding that it will empower farmers, fishermen, doctors, and students across geographies previously beyond the reach of terrestrial networks.
He further informed that through the Digital Bharat Nidhi and Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), the government has undertaken the mission to connect 38,260 remote villages located in challenging terrains with a total investment of Rs 400 billion, of which nearly 29,000 villages — about 75 per cent — have already been connected.
Furthermore, outlining policy reforms that have catalysed the sector, the minister said that India has introduced administrative allocation of satellite spectrum in line with international best practices, ensuring regulatory harmony and equitable spectrum sharing. He noted that GMPCS licences have already been granted to OneWeb and Jio Satellite, while Starlink has received a Letter of Intent, paving the way for a vibrant satcom ecosystem.
With bold policy reforms and a commitment to innovation, India is poised to lead the world in satellite communications, ensuring universal connectivity and empowering every Indian, regardless of their geographic location, the minister underlined.
He projected that the Indian satcom market, valued at $4.3 billion in 2024, is expected to triple to $14.8 billion by 2033, underscoring both the economic and strategic potential of the sector. He also announced a Rs 9 billion National satcom monitoring facility, which will safeguard spectrum assets and strengthen India’s satellite gateways.
Recalling India’s remarkable journey from Aryabhata (1975) to Chandrayaan-3, Aditya-L1, NISAR and upcoming Gaganyaan and next-generation reusable launch vehicles, the minister said that India has transformed from being a follower to a global leader in space innovation. “India must not just be a beneficiary of satellite services — it must become a hub, an exporter, and a trusted global partner,” he asserted.
Concluding his address, the minister called for a coordinated, milestone-driven satcom programme uniting government, industry, start-ups, academia, and international partners. “In the great symphony of progress, India will not be a silent listener. India will be the conductor, leading the orchestra of global innovation — composing the melody of opportunity.”
